Football West News
The Matildas are returning to Perth for the first time since 2018.
West Australian superstar Sam Kerr and her teammates will play three games in seven days at Perth’s HBF Park as part of their qualifying campaign for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
They will face Iran on 26 October, the Philippines on 29 October and Chinese Taipei on 1 November. This will be the first time the Matildas have played a competitive fixture in WA.
The fixtures will take place just two months after the FIFA Women's World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.
Matildas captain Kerr said: “Everyone knows how proud I am to be from Perth and WA so to be able to come home again with my teammates will be a really special moment.
“West Aussies are big sports lovers and some of the best fans in the world, they bring amazing support for the teams that they love, and I know they will give us that same energy as we start our Olympic qualification.”
Deputy Premier Roger Cook and Football Australia CEO James Johnson announced the games at the venue this morning.
“Get behind the Matildas and get behind Sam Kerr and welcome her back to Western Australia,” Mr Cook said.
Former Matilda and current Perth SC director of women's football Danielle Brogan also spoke to the media, while other ex-Australia internationals Thea Slater and Judy Pettit, as well as WA’s Junior Matildas Ischia Brooking, Ruby Cuthbert and Jessica Skinner plus ParaMatildas keeper Katelyn Smith were in attendance.
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell said: “This is tremendous news for WA to have the Matildas in town for three matches and right on the back of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The whole football world knows of the exploits of Sam Kerr and for her to come back to her home town will be thrilling for all of the youngsters who want to see their heroes in the flesh.
“It will also be great to host the Matildas at the new State Football Centre in Queens Park. Hopefully the team will be able to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy with them!”
Mr Johnson said: “This is an important competition for the Matildas. It’s a qualifying campaign and we need to win these matches in order to play in Paris in 2024.
“Western Australia has a very proud, strong tradition of developing football players. From Judy Pettitt here today, to current squad members Sam Kerr and Lydia Williams, and Ischia, Ruby and Jessica here as well - the future of the Matildas.
“The Asian qualifiers will be a great opportunity for the WA sports community, the community at large, and importantly the football community to come together and watch the Matildas on their journey to Paris.”
Ms Brogan said: “We’ve just heard the Minister and ‘JJ’ mention the word opportunity, I think it’s important as female footballers to experience these kinds of things. Never before have we had a competitive Matildas game here in Perth.
“Fortunately for myself, I was able to be a teammate of Sam’s … unfortunately I have been on the other side of her a few times which I don’t miss at all. But it’s an opportunity for us to see her return home as captain and also one of the world’s most exiting athletes and footballers, both male and female.
“It’s an opportunity to see what in my opinion is the best Matildas team we have had. I love the fact we can say these girls are playing for Arsenal and for Chelsea … some of the clubs that I aspired to as a child but they were always men’s teams. So how fantastic is it that we get the opportunity to see these players here live.
“It’s also an opportunity for these girls standing alongside me that they can look to aspire to these players and one say say, ‘I want to be that’ and see that in the flesh.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said: “Perth-born Matildas captain Sam Kerr is a global football superstar and truly a sporting icon – she’s an incredible role model for Western Australians and we can’t wait to welcome her back to her home ground.”
The Paris 2024™ Women’s Olympic Football Tournament will be held from 24 July to 10 August 2024 across France featuring 12 nations competing for the coveted Olympic Gold Medal.
Ticketing information, kick-off times and broadcast details will be confirmed in the coming weeks, The CommBank Matildas’ three matches will be broadcast on Network 10 and streamed live on Paramount+.
Ticketing information will be made available from the official CommBank Matildas website at www.matildas.com.au as well as www.ticketmaster.com.au. Fans can register for priority ticketing access by creating a Football Account and enabling 'Priority Ticketing' in their communication preferences to ensure you don't miss out on the pre-sale.
All Group A Match Day information and fixtures will be available here.
COMMBANK MATILDAS | GROUP A | MATCH SCHEDULE
MATCH DAY 1
Australia v IR Iran
Date: Thurs, 26 October 2023
Kick-off: TBC
Venue: HBF Park, Perth, Australia
MATCH DAY 2
Philippines v Australia
Date: Sun, 29 October 2023
Kick-off: TBC
Venue: HBF Park, Perth, Australia
MATCH DAY 3
Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Wed, 1 November 2023
Kick-off: TBC
Venue: HBF Park, Perth, Australia